Scapulae position measuring device and method

ABSTRACT

A scapulae position measurement device includes a main body extending in the vertical direction, configured to be positioned to run along the spinal column, having a vertical scale, and a moveable arm, extending in a horizontal direction on the right or left side of the main body, having a horizontal scale. The scapulae position measurement device is capable of measuring position changes of the horizontal direction (X axis) and vertical direction (Y axis) of the scapulae, and capable of displaying the tension/relax state of the surrounding muscles of the scapulae with an objective numerical value.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a scapulae position measurement deviceand a scapulae position measurement method capable of measuring thetherapeutic effects for stiff shoulders and poor posture caused by themalposition of the scapulae, using an objective numerical value.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of peoplecomplaining about “stiff shoulders,” which is accompanied by stiffness,pain and even headaches or nausea when the neck, shoulders and back arestretched. According to the 2010 National Life Infrastructure survey ofthe Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the percentage ofstiff shoulders have become the No. 2 complaints in men and No. 1 inwomen. The factors of why this issue has been increasing is due to badposture, such as stooping and slouching caused by the rapid spread ofSmartphones, or the like, and increase in computer use at the workplace,lack of exercise, work in a posture where the neck and shoulders aretense and maintain the same poor posture continuously, not to mentionthe fatigue already cause by too much air conditioning and mentalstress.

When there is a “stiff shoulders” posture as described above, thescapulae in the dorsal part are often shifted upward and outward fromtheir correct position. The scapulae are thin, palm-sized bones found atthe back of the human body. The scapulae consist of two bones, one onthe left and one on the right. Since the scapulae are floating at theback of the ribs, multiple muscles which are attached to the lower andupper part, left and right surface and back side of the scapulae aresupporting the scapulae. The muscles which are attached to the scapulaeare used not only to move the arms and shoulders, but also connect theribs to help the respiratory process, support the head when moving theneck etc., and several related movements of the body. Due to changes inthe muscle balance caused by muscle tension and loose muscle which isconnected to the scapulae, even with a simple gesture of extending thearm or tilting the head, the scapulae will eventually change itsposition.

Since the scapulae are floating at the back of the ribs without being incontact with any other bones, the position of the scapulae will dependon the tense state of the muscle groups which are attached to thescapulae even when the body is not in motion. The balance between eachmuscle can be out of control and the scapulae can be shifted from itsposition because the posture is in a bad position in which the musclegroups around the scapulae are under excessive tension and loose morethan they should be. Especially in a condition called stiff shoulder,there are lots of cases whereby the scapulae has shifted from thecorrect position to the upward and outward side, and rotating upward(upper part of the scapulae will be close to the spine, and the lowerpart of the scapulae will be rotating outward away from the spine).

The Japanese Orthopaedic Association has noted that the trapeziusmuscle, levator scapulae muscle, rhomboid major muscle, rhomboid minormuscle, supraspinatus muscle, semispinalis capitis, splenius capitismuscle and splenius cervicis muscle are the muscles which are related to“stiff shoulders.” In particular, the trapezius muscle and levatorscapulae muscle are both referred to as the stiff shoulder line, andthere are often cases whereby the tension of these causes stiffshoulders. Scapulae in the stiff shoulder state are being pulled upwardby the tension of the trapezius muscle and the levator scapulae muscle,and then are in an upward rotation condition after it has been shiftedoutward by the loosening of the rhomboid muscle.

There are many healthcare methods for improving and treating stiffshoulders, such as massage therapy, hyperthermia therapy, exercisetherapy, rest therapy, drug therapy, acupuncture, etc. From thesemethods, when the muscle tension of the muscle groups around thescapulae is relaxed and the scapulae has returned back to its properposition, the stiff shoulders from posture such as stoop and slouch willbe improved and the stiff shoulders symptom will be prevented as well.The stiff shoulders improvement methods described above have beenconducted by qualified personnel not only at orthopedic clinics,rehabilitation centers, orthopedic hospitals, acupuncture hospitals, andmassage centers by a masseuse, but even at various types of privatefacilities such as sports clubs, trainers, and manipulative therapycenters.

SUMMARY

Even in fields such as medical care and private hospitals, however,there is little consideration to effectiveness of treatment afterdeploying the position measurement of the scapulae. Even at anorthopedic clinic, the diagnosis of stiff shoulders, such as byverification of the existence of pain pressure and muscle tension at thetrapezius muscle using the palpation method, and checking on possiblemovement in areas connected to the shoulders and verification of thecervical spine disease, is common. Hence, there has been a request topresent the re-conditioning of the scapulae by using an objectivenumerical value.

The device and method of the present disclosure was made in view of suchtechnical background, and the purpose is to provide a scapulae positionmeasurement device and scapulae position measurement method which use anobjective numerical value for the effective treatment of stiff shouldersand poor posture caused by the malposition of the scapulae.

The present disclosure provides a scapulae position measurement devicewhich comprises a main body extending in the vertical direction and anarm extending in at least the right or left direction from said mainbody. The main body is arranged to the spine in a predeterminedlocation, and the arm is changed to the position along the main body tofit the height position of the predetermined location of the right orleft scapulae. The position of the horizontal direction for the right orleft scapulae is measured by measuring the position of the predeterminedlocation for the right or left scapulae to the arm and the position ofthe vertical direction for the right or left scapulae is measured bymeasuring the position of the arm to the main body. According to this,it is possible to easily and accurately measure the positions in thehorizontal direction and the position in the vertical direction of theright or left scapula.

The device of the present disclosure may be configured such that thescale of the vertical direction is provided on the main body, and thescales of the right direction and left direction are provided on therespective arm(s), wherein the position of the horizontal direction forthe right or left scapula can be measured by measuring the position of apredetermined location of the right or left scapula facing the arm withthe scale of the arm, and the position of the vertical direction of theright or left scapulae can be measured by measuring the position of thearm facing the main body with the scale of the arm. According to this,by simplifying the structure, the horizontal and vertical position ofthe right or left scapulae can be determined easily as an objectivenumerical value.

The device of the present disclosure may be configured such that apositional measurement device can be provided on the main body or arm,and the position of the horizontal direction for the right or leftscapulae can be measured by measuring the position of a predeterminedlocation for the right or left scapulae, facing the arm, with thepositional measurement device, and the position of the verticaldirection of the right of left scapulae can be measured by measuring theposition of the arm, facing the arm, with the positional measurementdevice. The positional measurement device can use laser and/orultrasound to measure the distance, and measures the position byelectrical, optical or ultrasonic methods. According to this, bycarrying out the electrical, optical or ultrasonic method, the positionin the horizontal direction of the right or left scapulae and theposition of the vertical direction can be measured accurately with theobjective numerical value.

The device of the present disclosure maybe configured to have ameasurement value display part for displaying the measurement value ofthe position of the horizontal direction and/or vertical direction atthe right or left scapulae measured by the positional measurementdevice. According to this, users can easily grasp the horizontaldirection position and vertical direction position of the right or leftscapulae by verifying the measurement value display part of thepositional measurement device.

The device of the present disclosure may be configured such that the armis provided so as to be capable of sliding in the vertical direction ofthe main body. According to this, the arm is allowed to slide in thevertical direction of the main body and the position can be changed sothat it would fit to the predetermined height position of the rightand/or left scapulae.

The device of the present disclosure may be configured such that the armis provided so as to be able to slide in the vertical direction of themain body by fitting the ridges extending in a vertical direction thatare provided on the main body or arm with the grooves extending in thevertical direction that are provided on the arm or the main body.According to this, the arm is allowed to slide in the vertical directionof the main body with a simple structure, and the position can bechanged so that it would fit to the predetermined height position of theright and/or left scapulae.

The scapulae position measurement device maybe configured such that themain body includes a fall-prevention device to prevent the bar fromfalling by locking the arm when the arm is sliding. According to this,when sliding the arm, it can prevent falling from falling off the end ofthe main body.

In addition, the arm may be detachable from the main body. According tothis, the scapulae position measurement device can disassemble intovarious parts for compact storage or to make it portable.

Further, the arm may be detachably connected to the main body using amagnet. According to this, the arm can easily be detached from orattached to the main body of the scapulae position measurement device.

The arm may be configured to have a bar indicator member that slides inthe right or left direction. This provides an indicator member for thearm that is capable of being displaced to the appointed area of theright scapulae or the left scapulae. The horizontal position of theright scapulae or the horizontal position of the left scapulae ismeasured by measuring the position of indicator member on the arm.According to this, the position of the horizontal direction of the rightand/or left scapulae can be measured accurately.

Further, the main body may be configured to have a main body indicatormember that slides in a vertical direction. This provides an indicatormember that is capable of indicating a vertical position of the rightscapulae or the vertical position of the left scapulae by measuring theposition of the main body indicator member for the respective arm.According to this, the position of the vertical direction of the rightand/or left scapulae can be measured accurately.

Furthermore, the main body may be made from flexible bending materialsin the thickness direction. According to this, even when the testsubject is a person whose back is bent due to an incident such astraffic accident, the main body of the scapula measurement device can bebent to follow the curvature of the spine. Due to this, even when thetest subject is a person whose back is bent, the predetermined directionposition of the scapulae can be measured.

Moreover, the scapulae position measurement method of the presentdisclosure comprises a main body of a form extending in the verticaldirection, and an arm provided in a form extending in the right and leftdirection for the main body, wherein the main body of the scapulaeposition measurement device is positioned in a predetermined locationalong the spine and the arm is repositioned at the main body to fit theheight/vertical position of a predetermined location of the right orleft scapulae. The position of the horizontal direction for the right orleft scapulae is measured by measuring the position of the predeterminedlocation for the right or left scapulae relative to the arm, and theposition of the vertical direction for the right or left scapulae ismeasured by measuring the position of the arm relative to the main body.

According to this, it is possible to easily and accurately measure thepositions of the horizontal direction and the predetermined verticaldirection position of the right or left scapulae.

According to the present disclosure, the change in position of thehorizontal direction and vertical direction of the scapulae can bemeasured, and it is possible to present the tension and/or the relaxedstate of the muscles surrounding the scapulae with an objectivenumerical value. With this treatment, which allows the musclessurrounding the scapulae to be represented by an objective numericalvalue, it becomes possible to provide specific treatment to patients.

In addition, the device of the present disclosure can be disassembledinto various parts for compact storage.

Also, the scapulae position measurement device, which measures a changein position of the scapulae for therapeutic purposes, can also be usedfor proactive applications in other areas, such as sports and beauty. Bymeasuring the increase and/or decrease in the movable range of thescapulae, this objective measurement can be applied to performance insports, posture, and cosmetic appearance. There are many imaginable usesthat fall under a wide range of applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing an embodiment of a scapulaeposition measurement device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the scapulae position measurementdevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, showing the usage of the scapulaeposition measurement device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are transverse sections showing alternative embodimentsof the scapulae position measurement device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration showing another embodiment of ascapulae position measurement device.

FIG. 6 is a transverse section of the scapulae position measurementdevice of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial perspective and bottom plan viewillustrations of the main parts of an alternative embodiment of thescapulae position measurement device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of an alternative embodiment of ascapulae position measurement device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration showing an alternative embodimentof the scapulae position measurement device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration showing another an alternativeembodiment of the scapulae position measurement device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of another alternative embodimentof a scapulae position measurement device.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are partial perspective illustrations of analternative embodiment of the scapulae position measurement device ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a scapulaeposition measurement device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration of an alternative embodiment of ascapulae position measurement device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown in FIGS. 1-3 is an embodiment of a scapulae position measurementdevice according to the present disclosure. In the description below,the horizontal direction is set to the X axis and the vertical directionis set to the Y axis of the human body.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scapulae position measurement device 1 comprisesa main body 10 having a scale 11 a and 11 b in the vertical direction, aright arm 20 on the right side of the main body 10, having a scale 21 aand 21 b in the horizontal direction, and a left arm 30 provided on theleft side of the main body 10, having a scale 31 a and 31 b in thehorizontal direction.

The main body 10 is a rectangular pillar which can be aligned in thevertical direction. A groove 14 is provided in the main body 10, whichextends in the vertical direction (length direction) of the main body 10at the right side of the surface part 12 and left side of the surfacepart 13. This groove 14 is linearly provided with the main body 10 fromthe top to the bottom in a constant width and constant depth. The mainbody 10 is provided with a scale 11 a of the vertical direction at theright side of the front surface 15, and a scale 11 b of the verticaldirection at the left side of the front surface 15. These scales 11 aand 11 b can be made longer than the length of the vertical dimension ofthe typical human scapulae. Specifically, the scales 11 a and 11 b canhave a length of about 20-50 cm.

The right arm 20 is a rectangular pillar which is provided in ahorizontal extending form in the right direction of the main body 10.The right arm 20 has a left edge part 22 fitted to the groove 14 of themain body 10 and it can have a size and shape to slide in the verticaldirection. In addition, the right arm 20 can be provided with a scale 21a of the horizontal direction at the upper side of the front surface 23,and scale 21 b of the horizontal direction at the lower side of thefront surface 23. These scales 21 a and 21 b are made to be longer thanthe length from the spinal column B of a normal human being up to apredetermined location (e.g. upper corner, lower corner) of the scapulaeK1. Specifically, the scales 21 a and 21 b can have a length of about20-50 cm. In addition, the right side of the arm can be made to belonger than the length up to half the width of the back (the widthbetween the base of the left and right arms) of a normal human body.Specifically, the right side of the arm can have a length of about 30-60cm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the right arm 20 can be slid upward with the leftedge of part 22 to the groove 14, to a position where the upper surface25 of the right arm 20 matches the height position of the upper cornerof the right scapula K1. Then, the position of the X axis in the uppercorner of the right scapulae K1 can be measured by measuring theposition in the upper corner of the right side of the scapulae K1 withthe scale 21 a, and the position of Y axis in the upper corner of theright scapulae K1 can be measured by measuring the position in thevertical direction of the right arm 20 with the scale 11 a on the mainbody 10.

Also, the left arm 20 can be slid downward with the left edge part 22 inthe groove 14, to a position where the lower surface 24 of the right arm20 matches the height position of the lower corner of the right scapulaeK1. Then, the position of the X axis in the lower corner of the rightscapulae K1 can be measured by measuring the position in the lowercorner of the right side of the scapulae K1 with the scale 21 b, and theposition of Y axis in the lower corner of the right scapulae K1 can bemeasured by measuring the position in the vertical direction of theright arm 20 with the scale 11 a on the main body 10.

On the other hand, the left arm 30 is a rectangular pillar which ishorizontally provided in an extending form in the left direction of themain body 10. The left arm 30 has a right edge part 32 fitted to thegroove 14 of the main body 10 and can have a size and shape capable ofsliding in the vertical direction. The left arm 30 can have the scale 31a of the horizontal direction at the upper side of the front surface 33,and the scale 31 b of the horizontal direction at the lower side of thefront surface 33. These scales 31 a and 31 b can have a length that islonger than the length from the spinal column B of a typical human up toa predetermined location (e.g. upper corner, lower corner) of thescapulae K2. Specifically, the scales 31 a and 31 b can have a length ofabout 20-50 cm. In addition, the left side of the arm 30 can have alength longer than the length up to half the width of the back (thewidth between the base of the left and right arms) of the general humanbody. Specifically, the left side of the arm can have a length of about30-60 cm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the left arm 30 can be slid upward with the rightedge part 32 to the groove 14, to a position on the upper surface 35 atthe left arm 30 to match the height position of the upper corner of theleft scapulae K2. Then, the position of the X axis in the upper cornerof the left scapulae K2 can be measured by measuring the position in theupper corner with the scale 31 a, and the position of the Y axis in theupper corner of the left scapulae K2 can be measured by measuring theposition in the vertical direction in the left arm 30 with the scale 11b on the main body 10.

Similarly, the left arm 30 can be slid downward with the right edge part32 in the groove 14, and then the lower surface 34 at the left arm 30can be changed to the position to match the height position of the lowercorner of the left scapulae K2. Then, the position of the X axis in thelower corner of the left scapulae K2 is measured by measuring theposition in the lower corner with the scale 31 b, and the position ofthe Y axis in the lower corner of the left scapulae K2 can be measuredby measuring the position in the vertical direction of the left arm 30with the scale 11 b on the main body 10.

Next, the description will be on the usage of the scapulae positionmeasurement device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the users will bringthe back surface 16 of the main body into contact to the back of thetest subject and then align the main body 10 together with the spinalcolumn B. During this time, the main body and the spinal column B arepreferably arranged in the same predetermined location whereby the topedge part of the main body 10 will match the predetermined location.

Next, users will change the position on the right arm 20 to the positionin the vertical direction of the upper corner of the right scapulae K1.Specifically, the user will slide the right arm 20 upward with thefitting form at the left edge part 22 to the groove 14, and then theright arm 20 at the upper surface 25 will be changed to the position tomatch the height position of the upper corner of the right scapulae K1.Then, the user will measure the position of the X axis in the uppercorner of the right scapulae K1 by measuring the position in the uppercorner with the scale 21 a, and will measure the position of Y axis inthe upper corner of the right scapulae K1 by measuring the position ofthe vertical direction at the right arm 20 with the scale 11 a on themain body 10.

Similarly, users will change the position for the right arm 20 to theposition of the vertical direction of the lower corner of the rightscapulae K1. Specifically, the user will slide the right arm 20 downwardwith the fitting form at the left edge part 22 to the groove 14, andthen the right arm 20 at the lower surface 24 will be changed to theposition to match the height position in the lower corner of the rightscapulae K1. Then, the user will measure the position of the X axis inthe lower corner in the right scapulae K1 by measuring the position inthe lower corner with the scale 21 b, and measure the position of the Yaxis in the lower corner of the right scapulae K1 by measuring theposition of the vertical direction at the right arm 20 with the scale 11a on the main body 10.

Next, users will change the position for the left arm 30 to the positionof the vertical direction of the upper corner of the left scapulae K2.Specifically, the user will slide the left arm 30 upward with thefitting form at the right edge part 32 to the groove 14, and then theleft arm 30 at the upper surface 35 will be changed to the position tomatch the height position of the upper corner of the right scapulae K2.Then, the user will measure the position of the X axis in the uppercorner of the left scapulae K2 by measuring the position in the uppercorner with the scale 31 a, and measure the position of the Y axis inthe upper corner of the left scapulae K2 by measuring the position inthe vertical direction at the left arm 30 with the scale 1 lb on themain body 10.

Similarly, users will change the position on the left arm 30 to theposition of the vertical direction in the lower corner of the rightscapulae K2. Specifically, the user will slide the left arm 30 downwardwith the fitting form at the left edge part 32 to the groove 14, andthen the left arm 30 at the lower surface 34 will be changed to theposition to match the height position of the lower corner of the leftscapulae K2. Then, the user will measure the position of the X axis inthe lower corner of the left scapulae K2 by measuring the position inthe lower corner with the scale 31 b, and measure the position of Y axisin the lower corner of the left scapulae K2 by measuring the position ofthe vertical direction at the left arm 30 with the scale 11 b on themain body 10.

Then, the user can place the spinal column B along the Y axis and the Xaxis in the spinal vertical line, and then, the position of the left andright scapulae K1 and K2 can be measured. The measurement point is beingconfigured for the upper corner (upper part of the corner inside thescapulae) inside the scapulae K1 and K2, and the lower corner (lowercorner of the scapulae) inside the lower part of the same scapulae.There are no issues with using the measurement point at places besidesscapulae K1 and K2 (for example, scapular spine). However, the uppercorner and lower corner were not only easy to be palpated, but also theyhave an end part of the muscles which is related to the measurement.

The positional change of the horizontal direction from the spinal columnB of the left and right upper or lower corner, which is the insidecorner of scapulae K1 and K2, is measured with the X-axis, and thepositional change of the vertical direction from the spinal column B ofthe upper or lower right and left scapulaes K1 and K2, is measured withthe Y-axis. According to this, it is possible to measure the changes onthe X and Y axis on the left and right scapulae. In addition, it ispossible to verify the changes of the X and Y axis for the left andright scapulae K1 and K2 respectively.

The reason for measuring the changes in X axis is because of thescapulae K1 and K2 are separated from the spinal column B and spreadoutwardly when the back is rounded to lean forward (aversion of thescapulae). At this time, rhomboid major and minor muscles which arerelated to the stiff shoulders will be stretched and the distance fromthe spinal column B of the scapulae K1 and K2 becomes wider. Therhomboid major and minor muscles are adductor muscles which are pulledto the spinal column B of the scapulae K1 and K2. In addition, since thetrapezius muscle is the stiff shoulder muscle, downward rotation (amovement which is rotating the scapulae so that the lower corner will beapproaching the inside) of the opposite movement of the scapulae K1 andK2 are also being carried out. The rhomboid major and minor muscles willeasily relax when the trapezius muscle is tense. The rhomboid minormuscle starts from the spinous process of the cervical vertebrae C6-C7(cervical vertebrae C7 sliding the thoracic T1), and ends at theinternal top part of the scapulae. The rhomboid major muscle starts fromthe spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae T1-T4, and ends at theinternal bottom part of the scapulae. The rhomboid major and minormuscles are used, for example, when pulling a drawer to the front, andif the rhomboid major and minor muscles are in a relaxed conditionwhereby they are away from the spinal column B such as when the scapulaeis barely near to the hand to reach until the position whereby the handis extended, they will be located outside the disposition. Thus, theposition changes at the upper corner and lower corner of the X axis forthe scapulae K1 and K2 have appeared to change the position of thetension and/or relaxing state and inward (adduction) and/or outward(abduction) of the rhomboid major and minor muscles, trapezius muscleand levator scapulae muscle.

The reason for measuring the changes in Y axis is because the uppercorner of the scapulae is increasing on the spine when the shoulders arein the elevated (e.g. shrugging) condition, whereby the head is fallingto the front.

At this time, the levator scapulae muscle which is related to stiffshoulder is in a tension state by pulling up the upper corner of thescapulae, and the position of the scapulae K1 and K2 on spinal column Bwill be changed upwardly. Since the levator scapulae muscle togetherwith the trapezius muscle are using the scapulae for raising activities(on the levator scapulae muscle), then both of these muscles aresimilarly tense during the tension state. The levator scapulae musclestarts from the nodules after the spinous process of the cervicalvertebrae C1-C4, and ends at the related inside and upper corner on thetop part of the scapulae. The levator scapulae muscle together with thetrapezius muscle are used when shrugging the shoulders and also whenlifting things. If the levator scapulae muscle is in tension, such aswhen the scapulae K1 and K2 are being pulled up, shrugging theshoulders, they will move to the upward direction on the spinal columnB. Thus, the position changes at the upper corner of Y axis for thescapulae K1 and K2 have appeared to change the position of the tensemuscle and/or relaxing state and upward (elevation) and/or downward(under the system) of the levator scapulae muscle.

Furthermore, by measuring the position changes on the X axis and Y axisof the upper corner and lower corner of the scapulae K1 and K2, itbecomes possible to also measure the rotation state of the scapulae K1and K2. In addition, by measuring the changes on the X axis and Y axisof the scapulae K1 and K2, not only for the rhomboid major and minormuscles, but also for the trapezius muscle and levator scapulae musclewhich have been described above, it is possible to estimate thecondition of the synergist and antagonistic muscle (muscles which aremoving in an opposite way). By measuring the changes of the upper cornerand lower corner of the scapulae K1 and K2, it can be understood thatthe tension and/or relaxed state for all of the muscle groups are movingin the position of the scapulae K1 and K2.

As described above, by finding the extension of the straight line andthe intersection of the Y axis which is connected to the position of theupper corner and lower corner of the scapulae K1 and K2, it becomespossible to find the position of the scapulae at the angle θ, and thetense and/or relaxed state of the muscles surrounding the scapulae K1and K2 can be measured with an objective numerical value. From there,the effect of treatment to the surrounding muscles of the scapulae K1and K2 can be detected by using the objective numerical value, and notonly is it possible to present the specific treatment effect to thepatients and customers, but also, the numerical value can be applied toa computer program on health maintenance, exercise and rehabilitation.

This kind of scapulae position measurement device can independentlychange the position between the right arm 20 and left arm 30. Due tothis, the position of the right scapulae K1 and the position of the leftscapulae K2 can be measured at the same time from the right arm 20 andthe left arm 30, and it becomes possible to improve the measurementefficiency.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4A, the scapulae positionmeasurement device 1 is provided with a projection 17 from the upperpart to the bottom part of the main body 10, whereby the projection 17extends in the vertical direction at the right side surface 12 and theleft side surface 13 of the main body. The groove 26 and 36 which fitwith the projection 17 are provided at the right arm 20 and the left arm30.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4B, the scapulae positionmeasurement device 1 is provided with a hook-shaped groove 14 from theupper part to the bottom part of the main body 10, whereby the groove 14extends in the vertical direction at the right side surface 12 and leftside surface 13 of the main body. At the left edge part 22 of the rightarm 20 and the right edge part 32 of the left arm 30, the hook-shapedgroove 14 and the fitting bent parts 22 a and 32 a are provided.

Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device 1 of thepresent disclosure will be described while referring to FIG. 5 and FIG.6. Only the configuration differing from the above embodiments will bedescribed, whereby descriptions of like configurations will be omitted,and like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the scapulae position measurementdevice 1, a groove 14 is provided from the upper edge to the lower edgeof the main body 10, and this groove has an opening at the upper surface18 and the bottom surface 19 of the main body 10.

By inserting the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 from the opening part18 a and 19 a, users can easily mount the right arm 20 and the left arm30 at the main body 10, and it becomes possible to easily assemble thescapulae position measurement device 1.

By letting go of the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 from the openingpart 18 a and 19 a, users can easily mount the right arm 20 and the leftarm 30 at the main body 10, and it becomes possible to easilydisassemble the scapulae position measurement device 1.

Note that this embodiment is not limited to the above described, and thescapulae position measurement device 1 may have a cross section as shownin FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, for example.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the scapulaeposition measurement device is provided with a fall-prevention device 10b to prevent the right arm 20 and/or left arm 30 from falling to thelower edge part 1 of the main body 10.

By making the groove 14 short, this fall-prevention device 10 b isprovided for the blocking purpose of the lower edge part 10 a.

According to this, even if the right arm 20 and/or the left arm 30 fallsdue to gravity, the left edge part 22 of the right arm 20 and/or theleft edge part 32 of the left arm 30 will be stopped at thefall-prevention device 10 b which can be provided at the lower edge part10 a of the main body 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rightarm 20 and/or left side of the bar 30 from falling off the lower edgepart 10 a of the main body 10.

Note that the fall-prevention device 10 b may be provided by attaching arectangular plate to the bottom surface 19 of the main body 10.

Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device 1 of thepresent disclosure will be described while referring to FIG. 8.

In this embodiment, the main body 10 can be oriented such that the Northpole of a bonded magnet is at the right side of the surface part 12 orleft side of the surface part 13.

In addition, the right arm 20 can be attached to the South pole of thebonded magnet on the left side surface part 27. The right arm 20 isdetached from the right side of surface part 12 at the main body 10 bypulling the left side of surface part 27 from the right side of surfacepart 12 at the main body 10 and the magnetic force of the bonded magnet.

Furthermore, the left arm 30 is attached to the South pole of the bondedmagnet on the right side surface part 37. The left arm 30 is detachedfrom the left side of the surface part 13 at the main body 10 by pullingthe right side of surface part 37 from the left side of surface part 13to the main body 10 and the magnetic force of the bonded magnet.

According to this, the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 can be easilydetached from the main body 10, and then, the scapulae positionmeasurement device can easily assemble and disassemble.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, a shoulder 14 b can be providedat the right side of surface part 12 and the left side of surface part13 of the main body 10.

In addition, the right arm 20 can be provided with shoulder 14 b of themain body 10 to fit the shoulder 22 b at the left edge part 22. Byfitting the shoulder 22 b with the shoulder 14 b of the main body 10,this right arm 20 will be stable when the direction and position areattached to the main body 10.

In addition, the left arm 30 can be provided with shoulder 14 b of themain body 10 to fit the shoulder 32 b at the right edge part 22. Byfitting the shoulder 32 b with the shoulder 14 b of the main body 10,the right arm 20 will be stable when the direction and position areattached to the main body 10.

According to this, by stabilizing the right arm 20 and the left arm 30when attached to the main body 10, the measurement accuracy can beimproved. Also, users can easily measure the scale because the scale 21a, 21 b, 31 a, 31 b are always oriented toward the front, toward theface of the users.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, a shoulder 14 b can be providedat the right side of surface part 12 and the left side of surface part13 of the main body 10.

In addition, the right arm 20 is a rectangular pillar material, and theback surface part 221 of the left edge part 22 is leaning on the frontsurface 141 of the shoulder 14 b at the main body 10. By leaning theback surface 221 of the left edge part 22 to the front surface 141 ofthe shoulder 14 b at the main body 10, the right arm 20 will be stablewhen the direction and the position are attached to the main body 10.

In addition, the left arm 30 is a rectangular pillar material, and theback surface part 321 of the right edge part 32 is leaning on the frontsurface 141 of the shoulder 14 b at the main body 10. By leaning theback surface 321 of the right edge part 32 to the front surface 141 ofthe shoulder 14 b at the main body 10, the left arm 30 will be stablewhen the direction and the position are attached to the main body 10.

According to this, by stabilizing the right arm 20 and the left arm 30when attached to the main body 10, the measurement accuracy can beimproved. Also, users can easily measure the scale because scale 21 a,21 b, 31 a, 31 b are always oriented toward the front, to face theusers.

Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device 1 of thepresent disclosure will be described while referring to FIG. 11.

By sliding the right arm 20 and/or left arm 30 in the horizontaldirection, the scale indicator material used for the indicator member 40will indicate the scale reading.

The scale indicator material used for the indicator member 40 cancompletely or partly encircle the respective arm 20 or 30, and the rightarm 20 or the left arm 30 can be configured to fit the shape and size ofthe internal surface of the indicator member 40. The scale indicatormaterial used for indicator member 40 can have an opening part 40 a atthe back surface side, and the opening part 40 a can be smoothly slid inthe horizontal direction by widening it. This scale indicator materialused for indicator member 40 can be configured to have a width (lengthof the horizontal direction) of about 0.3-1.0 cm.

According to this, by sliding the scale indicator material used for theindicator member 40 to the position of the reading scale, the scale 21a, 21 b, 31 a, 31 b of the right arm 20 and/or left side of the arm canbe measured easily.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12A, the scapulae positionmeasurement device 1 can have a vertical groove 15 a at the frontsurface 15 of the main body 10, and a main body scale indicator member50 fitted in the groove 15 a. The main body scale indicator member 50can be slid within the groove 15 a in the vertical direction, and thescale readings will be indicated.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12B, the scapulae positionmeasurement device 1 can be provided with a groove 28 in the horizontaldirection at the front surface 23 of the right arm 20, and the scaleindicator material used for the indicator member 40 fitted to groove 28.The scale indicator material used for the indicator member 40 slid withgroove 28 in the horizontal direction, and the scale readings will beindicated. Note that, the scale indicator material used for theindicator member 40 can also be used for the left arm 30.

Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device 1 of thepresent disclosure will be described while referring to FIG. 13.

The main body 10 is formed of a material that is flexible with respectto its thickness.

According to this, even when the test subject is a person whose back isbent due to an incident such as a traffic accident, the main body 10 canbe bent together with the spinal column B. Due to this, even when thetest subject is a person whose back is bent, the position of thepredetermined location of the scapula can be measured.

Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device 1 accordingto the present disclosure will be described while referring to FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the scapulae position measurement device 1 includesthe laser distance meter 60 as a positional measurement device at thelower edge part of the main body 10. By projecting the laser distancemeter 60 to both sides of the right side and left side from the mainbody 10, the upper surfaces 61 a and 61 b of the distance meter 60 willbe formed at the right side and left side of the main body 10. Thisincludes having the right side of the sensor part 62 a to the right sideof the upper surface 61 a and the left side of the sensor part 62 b tothe left side of the upper surface 61 b together with the measurementvalue display part 63 at the front surface.

The right arm 20 and/or left arm 30 can include an indicator member 70,which can slide upon the respective arm horizontally to indicate themeasurement position.

First of all, the laser distance meter 60 will have the right side ofthe sensor part 62 a to measure the position of the vertical directionat the right arm 20, and then measure the position of the verticaldirection in a predetermined location at the right scapulae, and measurethe distance L up to the indicator member 70 of the arm at the right arm20. Next, from the Pythagorean theorem, based on the distance L andposition H, the laser distance meter 60 will calculate the distance W ofthe horizontal direction from the right side of the sensor 62 a up tothe indicator member 70 of the arm, and then, by adding or subtractingthe distance D and the distance W from the right side of the surfacepart 12 at the main body 10 which can be stored beforehand, the positionof the horizontal direction in the predetermined location at the rightscapulae will be measured.

Similarly, the laser distance meter 60 will first have the left side ofthe sensor part 62 b to measure the position of the vertical directionat the left arm 30, and then measure the position of the verticaldirection in a predetermined location at the left scapulae, and measurethe distance L up to the indicator member 70 for the left arm 30. Next,from the Pythagorean theorem, based on the distance L and position H,the laser distance meter 60 will calculate the distance W of thehorizontal direction from the left side of the sensor 62 b up to theindicator member 70 for the arm, and then, by adding or subtracting thedistance D and the distance W from the left side of the surface part 13at the main body 10 which can be stored beforehand, the position of thehorizontal direction of the predetermined location at the left scapulaewill be measured.

Finally, the laser distance meter 60 will present the position of thevertical direction and the position of the horizontal direction of thepredetermined location which have been measured at the right scapulaeand the measurement value of the position of the vertical direction andposition of the horizontal direction of the predetermined location atthe left scapulae at the measurement value display part 63.

Note that, the laser distance meter 60 may analyze and managemeasurement values, which can be calculated after sending data to acomputer, whereby the display can be skipped.

In addition, the laser distance meter 60 may be fixed at the main body10, and may be provided with a detachable form at the main body 10.Especially, if the laser distance meter 60 at the main body 10 isprovided with a detachable form, the assembling work can be carried outat the measurement area and it will be convenient as the data can bestored, such as on a portable compact disk.

In addition, the laser distance meter 60 will also measure the angle θin the rotation state at the scapulae based on each of the valuesdescribed above, and the angle θ of the scapulae may be presented at themeasurement value display part 63.

In addition, the positional measurement device is not only limited tothe laser distance meter, and may also take measurements such asdistance etc. electrically, optically or ultrasonically. The position ofthe horizontal direction and the position of the vertical direction witha predetermined location may be measured at the right or left scapulae.

Note that, the above mentioned implementation forms for each right arm20 and each left arm 30 will be provided to both sides of the main body10, but one arm may provide as the matter to either one side of the mainbody 10. For this case, after changing the position of the arm at theright side of the main body 10, a user can measure the position of thehorizontal direction and the vertical direction of the predeterminedlocation at the right scapulae. The position of the similar arm will bechanged to the left side of the main body 10 and the measuring methodsfor the position of the horizontal direction and vertical direction ofthe predetermined location at the left scapulae can be mentioned.

As described above, the figure surface will be referred and theimplementation form of the present invention can be described but thepresent invention is not limited to the illustrated implementation form.It is possible to add various modifications and variations in thepresent invention and within the same range, or within the equivalentrange to the illustrated implementation form.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scapula position measurement device for use ona person having right and left scapulae, comprising: a main body,extending in a vertical direction, having a right side and a left side;an arm, moveably extending from either the right or left side of themain body; wherein the main body is configured to be aligned to a spineof the person in a predetermined location, and the arm is moveable to aposition along the main body corresponding to a predetermined locationof the right or left scapulae; and a horizontal position of the right orleft scapulae can be determined by comparing a position of thepredetermined location to the arm, and a vertical position of the rightor left scapulae can be determined by comparing the position of the armto the main body.
 2. The scapula position measurement device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a vertical scale, disposed on the mainbody; a horizontal scale, disposed on the arm; wherein the horizontalposition of the right or left scapulae can be determined by comparingthe position of the predetermined location of the right or left scapulaewith the horizontal scale; and the vertical position of the right orleft scapulae can be determined by comparing the position of the armwith the vertical scale.
 3. The scapula position measurement deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a positional measurementdevice, disposed upon one of the main body and the arm, the horizontalposition of the right or left scapulae being measurable by measuring theposition of the predetermined location for the right or left scapulaewith the positional measurement device, and the vertical position of theright of left scapulae being measurable by measuring the position of thearm with the positional measurement device.
 4. The scapula positionmeasurement device according to claim 3, further comprising ameasurement value display part, configured to display a measurementvalue of the position of the horizontal direction and/or verticaldirection at the right or left scapulae measured by the positionalmeasurement device.
 5. The scapula position measurement device accordingto claim 1, wherein the arm is capable of sliding upon the main body ina vertical direction.
 6. The scapula position measurement deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein one of the arm and the main body includeridges extending in a vertical direction, and another one of the arm andthe main body include grooves extending in the vertical direction, thearm being slidably attached to the main body by interconnection of theridges and grooves.
 7. The scapula position measurement device accordingto claim 5, wherein the main body includes a fall-prevention device,configured to prevent the arm from falling by locking the arm when thearm is sliding.
 8. The scapula position measurement device according toclaim 1, wherein the arm is detachably connected to the main body. 9.The scapula position measurement device according to claim 8, whereinthe arm is detachably connected to the main body using a magnet.
 10. Thescapulae position measurement device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an indicator member, slidably disposed upon the arm, thehorizontal position of the right or left scapulae being measurable bymeasuring a position of the indicator member on the arm.
 11. The scapulaposition measurement device according to claim 10, further comprising: amain body indicator member, attached to the main body and configured toslide in a vertical direction, a vertical position of the right or leftscapulae being measurable by measuring a position of the arm relative tothe main body using the main body indicator member.
 12. The scapulaposition measurement device according to any of claims 1, wherein themain body is flexible.
 13. A scapula position measurement method for usewith a person having right and left scapulae, comprising: positioning amain body of a scapula position measurement device vertically in apredetermined location along a spine of the person; moving a horizontalarm, extending from a side of the main body, to align with apredetermined location of the right or left scapula of the person;determining a horizontal position of the right or left scapulae bymeasuring a position of the predetermined location relative to the arm;and determining a vertical position of the right or left scapulae bymeasuring a position of the arm relative to the main body.
 14. A scapulaposition measurement method in accordance with claim 13, wherein movingthe horizontal arm comprises moving a pair of horizontal arms extendingfrom opposing sides of the main body, whereby each horizontal arm alignswith a predetermined location of the right and left scapula,respectively.
 15. A scapula position measurement method in accordancewith claim 13, wherein determining the horizontal position of the rightor left scapulae comprises comparing the position of the predeterminedlocation relative to a horizontal scale disposed upon the arm.
 16. Ascapula position measurement method in accordance with claim 13, whereindetermining the vertical position of the right or left scapulaecomprises comparing the position of Patent the arm, when aligned withthe predetermined location, relative to a vertical scale disposed uponthe main body.
 17. A scapula position measurement method in accordancewith claim 13, wherein determining the horizontal and vertical positionsof the right or left scapulae comprises measuring the position of thepredetermined location with respect to the arm and measuring theposition of the arm with respect to the main body using a positionalmeasurement device, disposed upon one of the main body and the arm. 18.A scapula position measurement device for use on a person, comprising: avertical body, having right and left sides, configured to be alignedwith a spine of the person in a predetermined location, having avertical scale disposed thereon; a pair of horizontal arms, moveablyextending from the right and left sides of the vertical body, eachhorizontal arm having a horizontal scale disposed thereon, eachhorizontal arm being moveable to a position along the main bodycorresponding to a respective predetermined location of a right and leftscapula of the person, a horizontal position of the right and leftscapulae being determinable by comparing a position of the respectivepredetermined location relative to the horizontal scale of therespective horizontal arm, and a vertical position of the right and leftscapulae being determinable by comparing the position of each armrelative to the vertical scale of the main body.
 19. A scapula positionmeasurement device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the main body isflexible.
 20. A scapula position measurement device in accordance withclaim 14, further comprising an indicator member, moveably disposed uponeach arm.